BJP amends constitution, raises number of women office-holders

Having already changed its constitution to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in all party posts, the BJP on Thursday carried out another amendment increasing the number of women in cadre posts.

Having already changed its constitution to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in all party posts, the BJP on Thursday carried out another amendment increasing the number of women in cadre posts.

As against 27 office bearers till now, after the new amendment to the BJP constitution at the National Council today, there will be 39 office bearers. Of these, 13 will be women and three will be from SC/STs.

The total strength of the National Executive has also been increased from 80 to 120. The number of women in this body will be 40 now.

The new amendment has been made to keep the number of men office bearers intact while appointing more women to meet the 33 per cent criteria.

In 2008, BJP amended its constitution to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in its cadre posts. However, it has not given reservation to women in the selection of candidates for elections to Parliament or state assemblies.

After today's amendment, which was moved by vice president Bal Apte, the number of general secretaries will go up from seven to 10. This includes a general secretary (organisation) who represents the RSS in the party.

The number of vice-presidents and secretaries will also change but the party did not specify the number.

When the reservation was not in force the strength of women office-bearers was much less compared to the men office-bearers. But now the total strength itself will rise to 80 in the National Executive when this was the total number earlier.